This was said by its Chief Executive Officer, Chie Wasserfall at NSI’s 5th Annual National Quality Awards ceremony held here on Thursday.
She explained that the institution is experiencing significant pressure on its ability to create a long term and sustainable financial position due to the annual grant often falling short of NSI’s planned budget and expectation, which in turn leads to cash flow challenges.
Wasserfall highlighted that despite this, the Windhoek-based NSI metrology laboratory successfully maintained accreditation status to the International Organisation for Standardisation and International Electro-technical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025-General requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
The NSI’s inspectorate centres in Walvis Bay, Lüderitz and Windhoek have also maintained their accreditation status to the ISO/IEC 17020-Conformity assessment requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection, the NSI CEO stressed.
Wasserfall further added that NSI’s testing centre in Walvis Bay has maintained its accreditation status to the international management standard for laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025, and is currently hosting an assessment team for its annual surveillance assessment.
“I have full confidence that we will pass this assessment with flying colours,” she said, adding that the NSI has invested close to N.dollars 3 million over the years to maintain this status.
She noted that the NSI, through the Standards Development and Coordination Department, established a training centre that offers training on selected standards.
Its purpose is to enhance trade facilitation both locally and internationally and for the protection of human lives and the environment.